In Texas Holdem poker there are really only a few hands that are worth playing, and
MOST should be folded. I have seen many people playing hands that are NOT 'good' hands, which really costs them in their chip stack. Yes, this can be boring, folding 90% of your hands... Ask yourself: are you there for entertainment, or to make money?
Remember that NO two cards are unbeatable! Even playing Pocket Aces poses a gamble once all the money is on the table. Sometimes the poker 'gods' can be cruel! Those 'iffy' hands don't look that good generally, once the flop is dealt. To give yourself the most advantage, play only premium hands.
The hands that I will play are:
- Top Big Pairs - Aces, Kings, Queens, and Jacks. I'd play these cards under any circumstances!
If your chip stack is sufficient, even pairs like tens, nines and eights can be good starting hands. I would suggest that you play them if the price is right. Keep in mind that you may have to fold these hands if you do not pick up a set, OR, if over cards hit the board!
- Aces with suited Face Cards - When you get an Ace with a king, queen jack, or even a ten, this is a definate hand you want to see a flop with. If a flush or flush draw flops, you'll have the best hand in the making. Dont be afraid to fold if you do not hit the flop, or if you have only an outside draw to make your hand!
- Suited Connectors - I know you see the pros play these all the time on television, but I advise caution when you play them. If you can limp in, they can be deadly if you hit, but they can not take a lot of pressure if the flop is not right for them.
- Aces with unsuited Face Cards - Aces with an unsuited partner can still give you top pair with a high kicker, or a high straight. However, other players may also have an ace, making the strength of the second card in your hand important. So, while A-10 is a hand worth seeing a flop with, an A with anything less than a ten, is not. Yes, aces are nice to see in your hand, but do not feel like you have to play every hand where you are dealt an ace.
- King with Face Card - A King with a Queen, or with a Jack MAY be a playable hand. The gamble when playing them, is hitting one of them on the flop. Unless you do, you can often just get your self into a chip loosing situation!
There are always situations, and hands that I have not mentioned here that CAN be played, and where you can win a lot of chips with. When you at a short handed table ( less than 6 players), a LOT of hands come into play, because the distribution of the cards is substantially changed over a full table. Do not fall into the trap of folding a marginal hand, only to see it hit on the flop, THEN thinking you should play those types of hands next time. The odds are bad there!
Always consider the odds/risks involved in playing any hand, or calling large bets with marginal hands ( less than the nuts ). Ya, the other guy could be bluffing you.... or he could be sitting on the NUTS!
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